Health and Social Care Professions Rise to the Challenge Admission Avoidance in Emergency Departments

Abstract

Patients with mobility issues with potential for same day discharge in EDs This paper describes how Emergency Department (ED) based initiatives, developed by Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP’s) enhance cost effective access to timely high quality patient care in the ED Initiatives have been introduced in response to Increasing demands on healthcare services, including patient flow Escalating health costs and the need to direct funding where it is most effective “best person – best place –best time “ Continuous developments in knowledge and skills and advanced roles of HSCP’s Nationally, HSCP’s have developed various practice initiatives in ED. However the largest growth in HSCP activity nationally is one that addresses the increased number of patients with mobility issues who have the potential for same day discharge. These initiatives support interdisciplinary and cross programme partnerships (e.g. with the National Clinical Programmes for Older Persons and the Acute Medicine Programme) as well as bridging hospital and community practice. Examples of these initiatives include Mobility Assessment and Discharge Rapid Admission Prevention Interdisciplinary Frail Intervention Therapy Team SWOT Social Work and Occupational Therapy PhAst Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment HSCP Rapid Access and Treatment Benefits demonstrated include admission avoidance, reduced length of stay in ED, increased discharge rates, reduction in re-attendance and improved patient and staff satisfaction. The presentation will detail these initiatives and their benefits Rosie Quinn rosie.quinn@hse.ie Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda) and Therapy Lead Emergency Medicine Programme (all HSCP leads on these initiatives have been contacted and have agreed to share their data – they will be acknowledged individually in any presentation given)